The Knights this year produced their most memorable season since Andrew Johns led the club to their last premiership in 2001.
Newcastle made it to the second week of finals for the first time since 2013 on the back of a 10-game winning streak.
The incredible run earned star fullback Kalyn Ponga the Dally M Medal and saved coach Adam O’Brien his job.
Now Ponga and O’Brien must back it up because despite a significant roster turnover, they remain in a premiership window.
Read on for the Newcastle Knights State of Play.
2023 FINISH: 5th W16 L9 D1 (semi-finalists)
COACH: Adam O’Brien
Adam O’Brien was facing the axe if his side lost against the struggling Bulldogs in Round 18, but instead they produced the biggest win in club history.
The 66-0 thumping ignited a 10-game winning run that not only saw the Knights charge into the second week of finals, but also save O’Brien his job.
Newcastle have made finals in three of four seasons under O’Brien and they’ve recently extended their coach’s contract until the end of 2026.
SQUAD: Adam Elliott (2025), Bradman Best (2024), Brodie Jones (2024), Dane Gagai (2024), Daniel Saifiti (2026), David Armstrong (2024), Dylan Lucas (2025), Enari Tuala (2024), Greg Marzhew (2026), Jack Cogger (2026), Jack Hetherington (2025), Jackson Hastings (2025), Jacob Saifiti (2024), Jayden Brailey (2025), Jed Cartwright (2025), Kai Pearce-Paul (2025), Kalyn Ponga (2027), Krystian Mapapalangi (2024), Leo Thompson (2025), Mathew Croker (2024), Myles Martin (2024), Paul Bryan (2025), Phoenix Crossland (2026), Riley Jones (2025), Ryan Rivett (2024), Thomas Jenkins (2025), Tyson Gamble (2024), Tyson Frizell (2024, PO 2025, MO 2026), Will Pryce (2025)
PLAYERS IN: Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors), Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs), Tom Jenkins (Panthers)
English duo Kai Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce have arrived from the Super League but there is no direct replacement for their countryman Dom Young who has joined the Roosters.
Penrith’s grand final super sub Jack Cogger will battle Tyson Gamble this summer for a spot in the halves alongside Jackson Hastings.
Fellow recruits Jed Cartwright and Tom Jenkins will also push for selection following the departure of a host of players.
PLAYERS OUT: Dominic Young (Roosters), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington Wolves), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), Lachlan Miller (Leeds Rhinos), Fa’amanu Brown (Hull FC), Oryn Keeley (Dolphins), Kurt Mann (Bulldogs), Dane Aukafolau (unsigned), Hymel Hunt (unsigned), Jack Johns (unsigned)
WHERE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE: Winger
There’s no sugarcoating it, the Roosters poaching winger Dom Young leaves a huge hole in the Knights’ backline.
Young crossed for a club record 25 tries this year and was unlucky to miss a spot in the Dally M Team of the Year.
Newcastle young gun Krystian Mapapalangi is expected to get first crack at replacing Young, while Enari Tuala and Panthers recruit Tom Jenkins are the other options.
WHO THEY COULD/SHOULD SIGN: Outside backs
The Knights have lost speedsters Dominic Young (Roosters) and Lachlan Miller (Leeds) and will be on the lookout for a quality finisher.
Panthers star and 2023 NRL Rookie of the Year Sunia Turuva, Raiders gun Nick Cotric and Storm trio Nick Meaney, Reimis Smith and Marion Seve are all available from 2025.
Warriors weapon Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is also on the open market but Newcastle would struggle to fit the league highest-paid winger in their cap.
As for immediate signings one-time Queensland fullback Corey Allan could add injury cover value at the right price.
PLAYER UNDER MOST PRESSURE: Kalyn Ponga
It might sound strange to say the reigning Dally M Medal winner is under the most pressure but that’s how big an impact Ponga has on this team. .
Put simply, when Kalyn Ponga is playing well the Newcastle Knights are going well.
It means the star fullback’s performance will be scrutinised after every loss and if the defeats start piling up then Ponga will most certainly feel the pinch.
YOUNG GUN TO WATCH: Krystian Mapapalangi
Mapapalangi made his NRL debut in 2022 then missed all of 2023 with a shoulder injury, but club officials still have big raps on the outside back.
The 21-year-old played his only two NRL games in the centres but has the speed, strength and height to be a threat on the wing.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien watched Dom Young score try after try in 2023 and he’ll likely give Mapapalangi first crack at doing the same.
